Stalk cutting machine



March 29, 1949. D. STRAWN STALK CUTTING MACHINE- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJan. 9, 1945 INVENTOR BILL STE/1 WN f irkzr March 29, 1949, D. STRAWNSTALK CUTTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1945 INVENTOR. D/LLSTRA WN lclalm.

invention relates" a stalk cutter. and more particularly tofa device ofthis type for use with a'tr'a'cto'r-and which may be readily attached to'and*"detached "from the tractor.

An object of the invention is to provide a devicesimple'and effectiveand one which,

'is' ines'pensivetoconstruct and maintain. *Anotlier object'is-toprovide .a device of the class 'describedthat maybe hoisted to anelevated position when desired. '*Still= another'object is to provide adevice in whichthehoistlng mechanism'includes a loose connection so thatindependent supporting means for the cutter mechanism will maintain theaxis of rotation of the cutters a predetermined distance above theground.

stlll another obiect-is to provide a device which includes cleanerbladeswhereby the cutting blades are-kept clean. i

. The foregoing are primary objects which, together with other and morespecific objects, will beimore fully apparent from the followingdescriptiontaken'inconnection with the accompanying-drawings, in which:

"Fig.1 is a side elevational view of an illustrated embodiment of theinvention operatively attached to a tractor with which the device isused;

Fig. 2 is a Fig. l, certain portions being cut away for the purpo e ofmore clearly illustrating the structure embodying the invention:

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail showing the con nection between the drivingyoke and the cutterframe.

The invent on as illustrated in the drawings is such that it may bereadily attached to and driven by a conventional. tractor i andcomprises drive frame 2 attached to the tractor i and including a yoke Ipivotally attached thereto and extending forwardly and downwardly for aswivel connection 4 to the cutter frame to which reference is generallymade as 8. a

The drive frame 2 includes spaced angle members II and ii of such sizeand dimensions as to withstand stresses imposed in the normal andintended use of the device. These members are secured to the frame I ofthe tractor by any suitable fastening means such as bolts so that theyextend forwardly from the tractor. Mounted on the members Ill and Ii arejournalbearings i3 and il within which is mounted a countorshaft llhaving a ulley i6 aillxed to its outer end in alignment with the drivepullev ll of the tractor I. A second pulley II is also ilxed plan viewof the device shown inrarss v PATENT OFFICE g H STALK cu m :mm

It!!! 9, INS, Serial N0. 572,022

is thedcoimtershaft I! intermediate the bearings The yoke 3 is pivotallyattached to-the members It and ii by means of bolts it and this yokecomprises arms 2. which are interconnected at their forward end by meansof bar 2i, through 4 which bolt 2! passes to swivelly support cars 22, Ywhich receive lug-23 on the frame 5. A pin u interconnects the ears 2!and the lug 2: whereby a pivot connection is provided between the yoke 3and the frame 5, so that the frame I is mounted to tilt in such manneras to permit the device to pass over uneven terrain as herein more fullydescribed.

The frame 6 is a composite structure comprising a transverse beam I towhich horizontal side members II and I2 and intermediate members a areattached. In plan, as shown in Fig. 2, this frame structure provides twogenerally rectangular sections which are open at their forward end toadmit the entrance of stalks which are to be cut.

Aligned bearings it are mounted on the members ii, 32 and 33 and thecutter shaft-'35 s rotatably mounted in these hearings. a pulley Itbeing fixed upon this cutter shaft int m d e the members 33 and inalignment with the pulley is on the countershaft i5. Stud shafts 3 areflan ed at 3| for attachment to the respective members 3i and 32 andthese stud shafts pass through suitable bearings ll in support beams lland 42. These beams have paired lugs 43 at their forward and aft endswith vertically aligned extend outwardly and upwardly therefrom on on-.posite sides of the beams Ii and Q2. and the 1 upper ends of these gudes are secured to an upper frame comprising transverse and longitudinalmembers II. I and '2 supported upon pillars I: which are in. turnsecured to the nether frame structure above described.

Secured to the forward pillars l are paired guide su ports It upon whichare mounted fenders It. The device as shown is intended to be moved overtwo rows of stalks to be cut thereby and it is intended that the fenders3 willeueagethestalksandguidethemintothe cutter mechanism for each row.

The cutting mechanisms comprise spaced collars ll attached to the cuttershaft fI. such coi- -larsbeingsecuredtocrossarmsel whichextend inpposite directions from the shaft. The outer ends of the cross arms areinterconnected by cutter blades II which extend in a direction generallyparallel to the shaft II. Power is delivered to this cutter-.m'cha'nismby means of the belt it between pulleys II and I1 and the belt 03 besumo' that the mechanism tween the pulleys it and it. This latter beltismaintained taut by means of an idler pulley- I4 mounted upon the frameI.

Uprights II on the drive frame 2 are provided with bell crank levers II,which are connected to the frame I through a loose connection such asthe chains Il similar to the lever and chain shown in U. 8. Patent1.312,281. positions of the bell crank levers II upon their pivots aredetermined by the rods II and the hand levers It which are suitablylocated for manipulation by the operator, it being understood that thisfeature of the device may be operated by the conventional power lift, asis well known in the art.

It seems apparent that the construction Just described enables liftingof' the structure I to any desired elevation, as. for example, when thedevice is being transported from one place to another. On theotherihand, when the device is to be used this mechanism may be operatedto determine the lowermost position to which the cutter mechanism I maybe lowered and at which time the wheels I will bear upon the surfaceupon which cutting is to be effected. If, however. the terrain overwhichthe tractor and the device are to pass is uneven, the mechanism Iis free to rise and fall in accordance with the terrain. Since thesupporting beams 4i and 42 are pivotally mounted upon the stud shafts31, there is such freedom of movement that the cutter blades areuniformly held at a predetermined height above the surface of theground. Or, if the stalks to be out are rank. the entire device may belifted and supported at a desired elevation above the ground duringoperation. In any event, the stalks to be out, whether green or dry. areeffectively cut into short lengths. v

In the event stalks engaged by the blade I2 are not severed, it isundesirable that these stalks be carried with the blades. To preventthis, there are provided cleaner blades 10 and H for each of the rotarycutters. The cleaner blades I0 are secured to the frame I in suchposition that they lie closely proximate the path of movement of thecutter blades II. The cleaner blades II are,

The angularlay-means of the levers II and elements duringtransportation. When the device is to be .placed in operation the leversII are moved forward so that the wheels 4| will engage the surface uponwhich cutting is to be eflecteda Power is then applied from the drivepulley II to the cutterv mechanism as the entire assembly is :oved overthe ground upon which stalks are to cut.

The stalks are guided into the mechanism by the fenders ll sothatemcientcutting of the stalks is effected. If for any reason a stalkisnot cut and is carried by the blade I2, such stalk will be displacedas the blademoves past the cleaningbladell. 1, x

It is to be understood that the device may be rendered. inoperative,when is not de sired. by disconnecting powerii'om the pulley I! bymechanism comprising a conventional and integralpartofthetractor I. V v

Broadly, the invention .comprehends a stalk cutter adapted forattachment to a conventional tractor and one which is simple and emcientin operation for. its intended purpose.

The invention claimed is: i

In a tractor attachment for cutting stalks, a frame to be mounted upon atractor. a rotary cutter mounted on an axisin said frame, means fordriving said cutter, and cleaner blades mounted coaxial and proximate tosaid cutter to remove uncut stalks from the blades of the cutter, atleast one of-said cleaner blades including U-shaped support meanstherefor freely suspended from said cutter axis within the cutter andoperable under gravity to remain-stationary proximate the cutterelements.

' DlLL STRAWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

